PADIHAM believe they could have a future captain of South Africa at the Arbories after they signed Johan Botha as their professional for next season.

The Easter Province all-rounder comes with a lot of promise, his state captain Dave Callaghan - last seasons St Anne's paid man who sub-pro'd in the Lancashire League - thinks he could reach the top.

"Dave reckons he could be captain of South Africa in the future," said Padiham committee member Brian Shirtcliffe.

"So we regard this as a major coup."

Last season's paid man was Pakistani Faheem Fazal but he was going to prove too costly to return to the 1998 and 1999 Ribblesdale League champions.

So Brian got on the internet and used his e-mail to snap up 19-year-old Johan, who lists Justin Kemp and Merrick Pringle as his team-mates.

"I have plenty of contacts in Australia and I e-mailed a number of the state sides and had a short list of four but none of them came off for one reason or another.

"So I also e-mailed a contact in South Africa and he came up with Johan and we took it from there.

"He is captain of South Africa's Under 19 side and is a fast bowler who bats at around number six or seven for his side and has a 50 to his name already.

"Having someone of Johan's calibre makes us quite optimistic for the coming season."

Padiham have finished fifth and seventh in the last two seasons and there is hope that the current side, now under the captaincy of Jon Hartley, can make a charge for the title.

"In the last couple of years we have been hindered by the loss of some experienced players and the younger ones have been coming through.

"Now we have a lot of lads in their 20s who are maturing in their performances."

Hartley, a pro at the Arbories in the 80s who has been playing as an amateur for the last six or seven seasons, takes over from Andy McNicholas as skipper.

"Andy had done three years as captain and he decided he wanted to step down.

"He had done long enough but he will still be playing for us," added Brian Shirtcliffe.

BAXENDEN professional Jonathan Harvey is 12 months into a two-year deal.

Blackburn Northern pro Ata-ur-Rehman will also return for another season.